Humanities and Social Sciences Library

Call Ahead at the Humanities and Social Sciences Library

3 items/day            24-hour advance notice             Exact call numbers required

You can have items from HSSL’s closed stacks or off-site storage waiting for you when you arrive at the Library, just e-mail or phone your requests in advance.  Exact call numbers are required.

CONTACT US:

Humanities and Social Sciences Library Access and Reader Services

                                    callaheadhssl@nypl.org  

                                    phone:  212-930-0825

PLEASE GIVE US THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

                        To request journals:        Exact call #;  Title,  Volume number and/or date

                        To request books:          Exact call #,  Author’s name (first and last);  Title

                        How to contact you:       Your e-mail address and telephone number(s)

When you arrive at the library, proceed to the Rose Main Reading Room and request Reserved material by your last name.  Items will be gathered together in the morning before the library opens on the day your visit is planned.  Any material not called for or picked up will return to the shelves that evening to make it available for other readers.  After the first day, you may request that material be held on reserve for up to seven days.

EXCEPTIONS:

  • Unbound periodicals and items from our open shelf reference collections.
  • Rare Book and Special Collections should be contacted directly specialcollections@nypl.org.
  • Manuscripts and Archives Division researchers should consult its instructions on requesting material in advance: www.nypl.org/mss
  • Some oversized materials and restricted collections may not be available for this service.
  • At least 24-hour advance notice is required for on-site materials. Earlier notice is appreciated.
  • Although most off-site materials will be available within one business day, some may require up to four business days.
 
PLEASE NOTE: Some materials may not be available. We will make every effort to notify you ahead of time. Please call the delivery desk to verify that your materials are ready (212) 930-0813. 

An Access Card is required to view materials. See www.nypl.org/research/general/access.html  for more details.

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